Robert de Baudricourt

A loyal supporter of the Dauphin Charles. This nobleman served the Dauphin as captain of Vaucouleurs. He was one of the first to meet Joan, and the one of the first who had to believe in her.

Upon their first meeting, Baudricourt demanded that Joan be returned to her father and slapped for such impudence. But this was not enough to daunt Joan. She took up lodgings with a local wheelwright and his wife, and continued to seek an audience with Baudricourt. When she finally met with him, Joan told Baudricourt that she had been sent to help the Dauphin to win Orleans. Uneasy that perhaps this girl had been sent by the devil, Baudricourt had a priest question Joan on whether the devil sent her or not. He then sent her to the duke of Lorraine for consultation. Fortunately this all was enough to convince him to send Joan to Chinon to see the Dauphin Charles with a letter of introduction. This was not a light undertaking by any means. Baudricourt was sending his approval of this maid to the face of his Dauphin. That was certainly courage and faith in the girl who would change the state of war for the French.

Baudricourt also served as the bailiff of Chaumont in 1415, succeeding his uncle Guillaume. He also became a counselor to René of Anjou, who later became the duke of Bar.

Georges de la Tremoille

The grand chamberlain of France and the Dauphin’s lieutenant general for Burgundy. Trémoïlle was Joan’s enemy at court simply because she did not agree with his interests. Due to his great influence at court, he was able to use Joan against Perrinet Gressart. It is reputed that Trémoïlle also convinced Charles VII not to aid Joan after her capture at Compeigne.

Two years after Joan’s death, Trémoïolle’s continuing unpopularity caused an attempt on his life. In 1439 he was a part of the failed Praguerie, the attempt to overthrow the aristocracy. His banishment from court finally occurred in 1453. Trémoïlle died in 1466 still an unpopular man.

Bertrand du Gueselin

Arthur de Richemont

Gilles de Rais

Jean Le Charlier de Gerson

Christine de Pizan

John of Luxembourg

Perrinet Gressart

Philip the Good of Burgundy

Raoul de Gauourt

The governor of Orléans in Joan’s time. He is first recorded as a squire in the service of Charles VI and entering battle in 1396. After being named the chamberlain of Louis, duke of Orléans, Gaucourt participated in the siege of Harfleur. His capture sent him to England for six years and nearly ruined him financially. All Gaucourt retained after paying his ransom were property holdings in Touraine and Berry that belonged to his wife. From 1404 onward he fought against the English, even at the side of La Hire in the battle at Montargis. Charles VII gave him the captaincy of Chinon and also the bailiff of Orléans by 1428. Gaucourt eventually became a member of the royal council, and was the liaison to Pope Calixtus III in arranging the review of Joan’s original trial. He was eighty years of age when testifying in the nullification trial, and the records of his statement are surprisingly complete.

Poton de Zaintrailles

One of the mercenary captains who aided Joan in raising the siege of Orléans. He fought under the Burgundian banner in 1424 at Hainaut, but then joined the Maid on the Armagnac side at Orléans. Poton became a prisoner at the Battle of the Shepherd, and was brought to Rouen on August 11, 1429 just like Joan. The next day records indicate that Poton was received at the table of Richard Beauchamp, whereas Joan was not. This does indicate the attitude taken toward the Maid versus her companions.

On November 14, 1429, it is recorded that Poton was sent to Dieppe, and then on to Calais on January 23 of the following year. It is assumed that Poton was on the ship that disembarked for England on February 9 since he does not appear in French documents for quite some time. He does appear again in 1435 among a band of mercenaries. However, Charles VII had other plans for this particular captain, and made Poton the bailiff of Bourges. He later became an esquire and was sent on a campaign to Germany in 1444. This war effort changed Poton, and settled him into full and faithful service to the king thereafter.

Étienne de Vignolles, also know as 'La Hire'Gilles

The word ‘hire’ in French means ‘anger’ and expresses well the character of this captain who supported Joan. Infamous for his extreme use of vulgar language, La Hire changed this trait after spending time around Joan. Due to this influence of the Maid and God, La Hire only swore "on his baton." He is also remembered for his prayer: "May you do for La Hire what you would like La Hire to do for you, if you were La Hire and La Hire was God."

La Hire was one of the captains whom Joan led in the relief of Orléans. Because of his moral conversion, he also became one of the Maid’s most faithful companions on the battlefield. Born as a Gascon, La Hire was involved in the war and the military since childhood. He fought for the Dauphin as a mercenary captain alongside his companion Poton de Xaintrailles. La Hire was captured at Dourdan, and therefore was unable to aid Joan before she was burned at the stake. He died on January 12, 1442 while fighting to regain the southwest of France.